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Lawmaker inquires on water, power lines for homesteads
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Posted on May 04 2005
Acting House Speaker Timothy Villagomez has called on the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to act promptly on water and power concerns of homesteaders, citing limited time given them to comply with occupancy conditions.
In a letter yesterday to CUC board chair Frank Q. Guerrero and CUC executive director Lorraine A. Babauta, Villagomez said that several people have a hard time relocating to Kagman IV homestead lots for lack of water and power connection.
“If you are not aware, homesteaders are given a limited amount of time to build their homes. Most people deplete their savings or, if not, loan money to build their homes. They expect to live in a new home, but they can’t move into their homes if the water and power hookups are not available,” said Villagomez, who is chair of the House Committee on Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications.
His letter attached a letter of complaint from Kagman IV homesteader Fred C. Camacho, who is required to show proof of occupancy in his new lot by August this year.
“I have requested for a waiver of time restriction on my permit because of the absence of water and power. …I have been told that no such waivers can be granted. I wish to build and reside in Kagman IV. However, I do not wish to bring my two elementary school-aged children into a home that does not have all the necessary commodities. Water and power is of utmost importance to our living standards,” he said.
Camacho said the Marianas Public Lands Authority awarded him a homestead permit in March 2004.
MPLA requires a homesteader to clear, maintain the lot, and start the construction of the house consisting of kitchen and toilet facilities within three months from the receipt of permit.
Camacho said he has cleared, back-filled, and excavated his lot, “with hopes that the ‘powers that be’—CUC, MPLA, DPW—were doing their part in obtaining the needed water and power in the area. This is not the case,” he said.
For his part, Villagomez asked the CUC to apprise his office of the status of the water and power upgrade in the homestead area.
“If the upgrade has not commenced, please begin the upgrade as soon as possible,” he said.
